Commander-in-chief and Minister of Defense and Military Production General Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said on Sunday 25/11/2012 that the Armed Forces' prime and sacred mission is to defend the homeland and protect its national security, internally and externally.

Addressing a group of cadets and members of the teaching staff of the Command and Staff College, al-Sisi underlined the importance of maintaining a high degree of combat preparedness as well as raising individuals and equipment combat efficiency.

He also reaffirmed the significance of sound understanding of the changes taking place on the internal scene and urged the men not to heed rumors that may threaten the armed forces' security and safety and to stick to military discipline, values and principles required to deepen cohesion within the Armed Forces ranks.

He said that the strategy in place to deal with the situation in Sinai primarily aims at restoring security through cooperation between the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Interior within the framework that respects human rights.

General Sisi paid tribute to the role Sinai Bedouins are playing in achieving security in the peninsula and reminded his audience of the historic and cordial relations binding the Armed Forces and the police.